The leader of Hyndburn Council has called for urgent action and investment to improve Lancashire's special educational needs and disabilities provision after a damning Ofsted report revealed 'unacceptable' delays in children receiving the support they need. The report also warned of a 'postcode lottery' in SEND services across the Lancashire County Council area.
The leader of Hyndburn Council has branded the latest Ofsted report into Lancashire ’s special educational needs and disabilities provision "damning" and demanded urgent action and investment to improve it. Cllr Munsif Dad is writing to county council boss Cllr Philippa Williamson to demand she "get a grip"on the service’s failings.
Cllr Dad told the meeting: “Today’s Ofsted report on Lancashire County Council;s SEND services is damning. It exposes widespread and systematic failings that have left vulnerable children and their families struggling. "This report confirms what so many of us already knew: there aren’t enough special school places; the support on offer is patchy and inconsistent; and our most vulnerable children are being failed. It’s time to properly invest in SEND provision, to ensure every child gets the education and support they need especially in Hyndburn.
SEND problems 'not exclusive to Lancashire' Cllr Williamson said: “‘The inspection carried out by was of the SEND Partnership – not just Lancashire County Council. It therefore does reflect the whole picture around SEND. “Last week councillors approved the expansion of six special schools and the development of Special Educational Needs Units and Special Education Resource Facilities at nine mainstream schools across Lancashire. This is to address a continuing increase in demand for more specialist provision for children with educational needs and disabilities. A total of 265 additional spaces will be created across Lancashire in 2025 through the delivery of this programme.
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